text:
Iran and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) are on the verge of solidifying a deal exporting up to 250,000 a day of oil to Tehran, according to Al Jazeera. KRG is an autonomous region of Iraq, and Iranian authorities stressed that the deal will not go through without approval from Baghdad. Turkey is a major recipient of KRG oil, but has made no comment about KRG-Iranian talks.
A potential oil deal between Iran and Kurdistan has been in the works since 2014, but each side is getting closer to reaching a full-fledged deal. Negotiations entail the construction of a pipeline that would transport the oil from Kurdistan to Tehran, but the nuts and bolts of the operation remain in limbo.
Critics are concerned that a future deal would solidify Iran's presence in the region while gaining influence over the Kurds. Moreover, others are concerned that the deal would pose a threat to Sunni and American interests. With that, Iran has more to lose if the deal falls through, as the economy recovers from sanctions and economic decline.
Iran is more integrated into the world economy, but its energy sector suffers under a lower-priced oil market and Saudi Arabia's wide market-share. Iranian exports have declined, and the Kingdom is determined to stamp out Tehran's energy influence in the market.
Further, Saudi Arabia will continue to stay one-step ahead of Iran as it commences diversification strategies away from the oil market. Iran is far behind and needs significant upgrades to its economy, but the deal with the Kurds will provide some measure of economic relief.
President Hassan Rouhani is struggling to get the economy on track, and Iran has yet to see the full benefits of a sanction-free economy, stoking further frustration among the public. Additionally, Rouhani's administration contends with hardline clerics who are resistant to certain reforms, especially friendlier ties with Western powers.
Rouhani also faces resistance from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei himself, who has the ultimate say in the direction of the country. Iran's economy, however, needs foreign leaders and their connections to overseas investors and companies that are eager to do business in Tehran. Further, the economy needs the assistance of foreign oil companies that could enhance the economy through development and technology, notes CNN Money.
Tehran has tripled oil production since 2015 to gain the attention of foreign oil companies. For now, Tehran is stuck making deals with countries, such as Kurdistan, in order to stay afloat. Tehran needs to attract foreign investment and reduce Iran's overreliance on the energy sector.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
By Chris Wright
God bless Manchester City, they're so silly…
For some reason unbeknownst to almost everybody, City have had their corporate buddies over at EA Sports mock up an image of Samir Nasri 'scoring his first City goal' against – yep, you guessed it – Manchester United.
I'm sorry boys, but you can't count that. You just can't. It's not fair.
Brings to mind a poor, delusional chap that I played alongside at U18s level who, in a lame attempt to boost his Nottingham Victoria League Opta stats, included goals he scored in training in his end-of-season tally. That didn't work either.
Desperation will do terrible things to a man.
Via MCFC


text:
Visiting someone with dementia
- The importance of visiting
- Before the visit
- During the visit
- Other tips for visits
- More information and resources
The importance of visiting
We all enjoy visits from family and friends; people with dementia are no different. Visits can be a source of support and comfort, and a way to stay connected with others.
However, uncertainty about what to expect may make some people hesitant about visiting a person with dementia. To make visits easier and more comfortable for everyone, consider the following tips:
Before the visit
Set a convenient time and consider how long you should stay.
Find out the best time of day to visit. It may be during the middle of the day when the person you're visiting isn't tired. Make sure the length of your visit is appropriate. Every person with dementia is different, so check with the caregiver or others who visit about what's best.
Ask around.
You may have friends or family members who are interested in visiting but may be unsure of what to do or are hesitant to come—especially if this is their first visit since the person was diagnosed or moved to a long-term care home. This is a good opportunity to ask them to come along, as visiting together can help remove those doubts. For those who would like to visit but can't make it, ask if it's okay to phone or video call them during the visit, and arrange a time beforehand.
Find out if it's alright to bring a pet along.
Pets can provide comfort and joy for people with dementia. If you're visiting a long-term care home, it's best to check their rules first regarding animals coming into the home.
Prepare what you want to bring.
Photographs, videos and letters are effective ways of connecting with the person you're visiting. If there is a particular treat that they enjoy, try to bring that. You may also want to consider buying assistive products that can support their engagement in meaningful activities.
Check for special events to enjoy together.
If you're visiting a long-term care home ask the staff if there is a special event going on, like a holiday party. If you are concerned that the person you're visiting will be upset when you leave, try to plan your departure with an event. Having the end of your visit coincide with going to a meal or an activity can make for a natural end to the visit and can be a distraction for the person. When you leave, sign the visitor guest book (see below) so the person you're visiting can check it later and other visitors know you've been by.
During the visit
Communicate clearly.
As the dementia progresses, the person you're visiting may not recognize you as someone they know. Depending on the stage of the disease, you may need to introduce yourself and say why you're there, e.g., "It's Jane, your old friend. I came to visit you today." Respectful and caring communication is the key to a great visit.
Be prepared to listen.
People with the disease may want to share their feelings. Remain open and sympathetic. You may have to answer difficult questions, and by doing so you can acknowledge their feelings and reassure them that they are safe, loved and cared for. Common questions include asking when they can go home and when will someone who died a long time ago come to visit.
Make the environment pleasant.
Reducing background noise by turning off a TV, closing a door or shutting a window can help make the visit peaceful, more focused and less confusing.
Ask the person what they want to do.
By encouraging the person you're visiting to make decisions about how you spend time together that day, you enhance their independence and self-esteem. It is generally a good idea to limit the choices. Try asking "Would you like to go for a walk or sit here and chat?" If that is too much choice, try "yes/no" questions such as "Would you like to go for a walk?"
Establish connection through the right activity.
Concentrate on the person's talents and abilities. Depending on what the person wants, it may be a relaxing visit watching a movie with some treats, listening to music or going outside to get the benefits of fresh air and exercise. Other good ways to connect may be building a scrapbook together or playing a familiar game.
Establish connection through a common item or person.
If the person you're visiting is not interested in a particular activity, this can be a good time to bring out those items you've brought along to enjoy together, or have that friend or family member who couldn't make it call in.
Allow for quiet time if needed.
Quiet time during a visit can be very meaningful and a good way for everyone to feel relaxed. Remember, not all communication is verbal.
Remember and laugh together.
Recall humorous experiences you both shared, e.g., "I remember when we both..." Take pleasure in each moment.
Other tips for visits
Bringing children
Bringing a child to visit can be fun for everyone and helps maintain important relationships. Use these tips to ensure they're comfortably involved:
- Discuss with the child what dementia is and what to expect. Listen to the child's feelings and concerns.
- Explain to the child that during the visit they should speak clearly, avoid arguing and ask for help anytime.
- Bring along a quiet activity that the child and the person you're visiting can do together, like a jigsaw puzzle.
- Have the child give something they made to the person you're visiting, like a picture or some homemade cookies.
Creating a visitor guest book
It can become difficult for a person with dementia to remember all the comings and goings in their day. By creating a visitor guest book, you can help the person you're visiting to remember who has come to visit and how they spent their time together. Guest books can also be good conversation starters for other visitors and for the person with dementia to remember everything that has happened in their day.
A guest book can be an inexpensive notebook or a journal that is kept in a central, obvious location in the home where visitors will easily locate it (such as by the front door). Though it is best if the guest book is made so the person with dementia can enjoy it to the fullest, the following information should always be included:
- The date of visit
- The visitor's name
- How you spent your time together that day
- When you will come again (try to be as specific as possible)
If the person you're visiting lives in a long-term care home, check first to see if it is possible to leave a visitor guest book in the person's room.
Read some examples of guest book messages here.
More information and resources
- Download the Meaningful Visits pamphlet, a handy reminder of common tips to make the most out of your visits
- For information about moving and adjusting to a long-term care home, visit our page on long-term care
- If you have questions or need support, contact your local Alzheimer Society by visiting our page: We can help


text:
On target to succeed … Scoot Airlines.This newbie airline's one millionth passenger is not far off.
A year after launch the Singapore-based low-cost carrier, Scoot Airlines, has carried its 500,000th passenger. And according to the airline market analysis organisation the CAPA Centre for Aviation, that means the newbie airline is on target to succeed, barring catastrophes or downward pressures.
"Scoot passed the 500,000-passenger milestone on January 14, 2013, which, according to CAPA calculations, means the carrier has had an average load factor of 78 per cent since its launch," CAPA says on its website.
It also means more Scoot seats between Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. CAPA says expansion of Scoot's Australian service is firmly in the airline's sites, a strategy it is carrying out through affiliations with other carriers.
Indeed, Scoot will probably get to its 1 millionth passenger in a shorter space of time. Thanks to an agreement with Tiger Airways and the addition of other partner airlines (Singapore Airlines was already one), and despite a relatively low inventory of aircraft, Scoot virtually doubled in one hit the number of destinations it's selling fares to. In January, it announced 19 new cities taking the total offered to 44, all without adding any metal at all.
New destinations include Dhaka, Phnom Penh, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Bangalore, Kochi, Chennai, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Tiger Airways is an associate of Temasek Holdings, which is the holding company of Singapore Airlines, the parent company of Scoot. Singapore Airlines (SIA) owns 32.7 per cent of Tiger Airways.
It's all a bit complex, but essentially what this means for Australian travellers is they can fly cut-price through Singapore and on to various south-east Asian destinations via a combination of airlines, but need only book one ticket. The airlines are calling these tickets "joint itineraries" rather than codeshares – in industry jargon this is called an "interline".
It also means Aussie passengers buying cut-price tickets may find themselves in full-service economy-class seats on the premium airlines, SilkAir and SIA.
In an analysis of operations, CAPA says Australia can expect further service from Scoot, which currently only flies into Sydney and the Gold Coast. (Scoot passengers flying out of Perth and Melbourne currently take SIA seats.)
"Scoot plans to add destinations in Australia by partnering with Tiger Australia," CAPA says. "As Tiger Australia does not serve Singapore, in this case the transit point will be at Sydney and/or the Gold Coast."
CAPA says Scoot may add more Australian destinations as early as this year.
Stopovers with style
Starting in April, customers travelling on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir who stop over in Singapore are being offered free entry to Universal Studios Singapore and Night Safari as well as Gardens by the Bay as part of SIA's Singapore Stopover Holiday program.
The program, going strong since 1999, is a suite of accommodation and attractions options designed as a sweetener to entice more traffic through Singapore, and of course, more stopovers.
This is the first time free entry to Universal Studios, Night Safari and selected conservatories at Gardens by the Bay has been offered.
The program, which includes accommodation, return airport transfers and attraction inclusions, starts from $30 a person, twin share, for the first night. singaporeair杭州夜网m.
Increased allowance
International shopaholics rejoice: China Southern Airlines has increased its checked baggage allowances for economy passengers travelling overseas on tickets issued in Australia to pretty much twice that of many, making cheap and cheery trinkets at the markets seem a whole lot more attractive.
China Southern's economy allowance is now two 23-kilogram bags a person. Yep, count 'em: two. That's 16 ahead of Emirates's generous 30 kilograms all up and miles ahead of many other airlines.
Qatar Airways has the same two 23-kilogram-bag allowance. China Eastern, Air China, Virgin Australia and Qantas have it to the Americas, but Qantas only has it for premium economy passengers elsewhere. (Both allow more for loyalty club members.)
At the pointy end, China Southern's new baggage allowances are in line with the competition: China Southern allows business-class passengers to check in two pieces up to 32 kilograms each, and first-class passengers to check in three pieces weighing up to 32 kilograms each. Infants with no seat are allowed 10 kilograms.
China Southern's previous baggage allowances were 40 kilograms a person for first and business, while in economy it was 30 kilograms.
The regional general manager Australia New Zealand for China Southern, Henry He, says the increased baggage allowance is in line with the airline's commitment to offer competitive fares and benefits to Australian travellers.
Dimension restrictions, however, do apply.
Most airlines have their luggage allowances on their websites. It's always worth checking, as they can vary greatly for different routes and classes of travel and may be increased for club members.
Top of the tastes
Flight search site Skyscanner's latest survey of inflight meal quality has pulled up a few surprises.
Two hundred travellers rated their inflight meals based on taste, presentation and choice, as well as value for money.
Tiger Airways triumphed in the "low-cost airline" category, pipping Scoot, AirAsia, Korean airline Jeju Air and China's Spring Airlines, which completed the top five.
Singapore Airlines won the "short haul" category, with Garuda Indonesia, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines and China Southern making up the top five.
It was in the long-haul category that the real surprise arose. Garuda Indonesia pipped Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia X and Air China for dining.
Route watch
As of March 28, Dragonair will fly between its Hong Kong base and Da Nang, Vietnam, the 12th destination launched or resumed by the airline in less than a year. The new, three-times-weekly service will be operated by A320 aircraft.
The original release of this article first appeared on the website of Hangzhou Night Net.


text:
Perfect for a quick and easy meal, this savory dish is just like mom used to make.
Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 35 mins
Yield: 6 x 1-cup servings
Place oil in a large non-stick skillet and stir-fry garlic and onion over low heat until golden. Add beef and stir-fry until brown. Season with beef cube, bay leaf, thyme, tarragon, parsley, and chives.
Add rice, water and tomato paste. Reduce heat, cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
Add cabbage and carrots to rice. Stir-fry just enough to mix and slightly soften vegetables. Serve immediately.
Heat a large microwave browning dish according to directions. Add oil, garlic and onion. Cover and cook 2 minutes on HIGH.
Add beef, cover and brown, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes on HIGH. Season with beef cube, bay leaf, thyme, tarragon, parsley, and chives.
Stir in rice, water and tomato paste. Cover and cook on MEDIUM HIGH for 30 minutes.
Stir in cabbage and carrots. Cover again and cook on MEDIUM HIGH for 5 minutes more. Serve immediately, or refrigerate and reheat.
(Note, if reheating: Omit last 5 minutes of cooking so vegetables do not become soggy. Reheating time may need to be increased to 10 minutes if chilled.)
* If extra lean ground beef (95%) is available, this will further lower the fat content of this recipe.
Ingredient suggestion is not included in the nutritional analysis.
(Note: Formerly "One Pan Dinner" and "One Pan Dinner II")